Area youngster learn safety

Incoming kindergarten students learned how to stay safe at the recently completed Swanton Safety Village. Two sessions were held at Crestwood Elementary School with 66 students participating.

A village was set up on the blacktop outside Crestwood, and in the gym because of rain, with different building, streets, sidewalks and a stop light. The children went to the miniature village each day where they practiced crossing the street half the time and got to ride on Big Wheels with seat belts the other half.

The kids also ventured out onto the real streets and sidewalks. On Wednesday and Thursday they practiced crossing the street by going for a walk down Parkside Drive. On Friday the children walked to the corner on Main and Church Streets to practice crossing at an actual stop light.

On Friday, graduation ceremonies were held in the gym. Children sang songs, a rap and poems that they learned throughout the week for their parents. They received a certificate of participation and ended with pink lemonade and cookies in the gym.

Throughout the week, speakers from the area discussed how to stay safe in particular situations. On Monday, school bus safety was discussed with Swanton bus drivers Kelly Harlett and Margie Baumgartner, along with playground safety.

On Tuesday, water safety and rescue squad information were taught. Jamie Blake, Dan Buel, Sean Griewahn, Sue Nicholson and Laurie Ward of Swanton Rescue all helped with rescue squad information.

On Wednesday, electricity and bike and gun safety were discussed. Officers Mark Cerda and Ron Moore of the Swanton Police Department were on hand.

Stranger safety and fire safety were taught on Thursday. Don Bauman, Dan Buel and Chief Jim Guy of the Swanton Fire Department talked to the kids.

Poison safety was discussed on Friday with Fulton County Safety Director Rachel Kinsman. Railroad safety was also discussed with Norfolk Southern engineer Steve Rathke.

Staff for 2009 included Lindsay Vance, Laurie Sugg, Julie LaPoint, Gina Snyder, Kathy Warkentin, Elaine Hallowell and director Mark Philippi. Aides were Sarah Philippi, Erin Griffith, Alex Peterson and Kiley Leasure.